Our third area of escape from the tourist throngs of Paris is at the very last stop on the Metro Line number 1; the Chateau de Vincennes and the adjacent Bois de Vincennes. This is an immense area at the edge of Paris that was once a royal hunting ground, and today offers the crowd weary traveler both a fascinating piece of French history and an enjoyable respite.

Upon exiting the Metro you will be just across the street from the Chateau de Vincennes. The Chateau is essentially a mini-Versailles with a medieval castle to go along with it – and one of the few fully preserved Donjons (or Keeps) in all of Europe. The grounds were once a royal residence complete with administrative buildings, royal residences, and its own cathedral - all of which is still intact.

The Donjon has a rich history including being a prison during the French Revolution (Mirabeau was briefly jailed here), headquarters to chief of the French Army at the outset of WWII, and SS headquarters during the German occupation.

It's a fascinating place to visit – and the grounds offer a lovely place to sit on the grass and read a book too. Entry to the Chateau is free – and €8 to go inside the Donjon and Cathedral. And not only is it an interesting place to visit, it also happens to not be inundated with foreign tourists; yet.

Adjacent to the Chateau is the immense Bois de Vincennes - essentially a giant park - which includes 4 lakes, a zoo, and miles and miles of scenic paths and picnic areas. This is where Parisians come to escape the city - and at three-times the size of New York's Central Park you will find it quite easy to have a little elbow room and breathing space all your own.

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I'm a writer living in the San Francisco Bay Area and Montréal, Québec - and this is my blog. Some of my writing is practical, some philosophical, but all of it generally accurate and occasionally amusing. You might stumble on a rant here and there - but otherwise it's a pretty relaxed, fairly interesting spot to spend a few minutes.Welcome.